MARYSVILLE – The weather’s been cold, but the Kamiak High School volleyball team is heating up.
Kamiak advanced to the 4A state tournament by winning its 10th straight match, defeating Jackson 24-26, 26-24, 25-15, 25-15 in a 4A District 1 semifinal game at Marysville-Pilchuck High School Wednesday night.
The Wesco South champion Knights (13-3 overall) clinched a state-berth for the first time since 2000.
“We’re very excited,” Kamiak coach Debra Crawford said about Kamiak’s return to state after the five-year hiatus.
“We’re peaking at the right time,” added Crawford, in her 14th year as the Knights’ coach.
Kamiak and Jackson traded victories in the first two games of the match, each team winning by a score of 26-24.
After Jackson jumped ahead in the match 1-0, Kamiak made it 1-1 by winning an intense second game.
In Game 2, the Knights scrapped back, tying the score 17-17 and finally pushing ahead ahead 20-19 – their first lead since they led 11-10. Neither team led by more than two points the rest of the game.
“Jackson is always tough, scrappy and well-coached,” Crawford said.
The Game 2 win proved to be the difference-maker in the match as Jackson was never able to regain the composure it had the first two games.
“That was a huge momentum swing in the match,” Crawford said referring to the Game 2 win.
The Knights controlled the final two games thanks in part to their defense.
Senior Nicole Bozek came up big in the match with 13 kills and 12 blocks. She was also 16-for-16 on serves.
“Nicole provides senior leadership on the court and physically she was on fire tonight,” Crawford said.
Julia Church added 16 kills, Devin Larson added 38 assists and Melissa Fredericks had 19 digs for the Knights.
Jackson (11-5) was led by Audra Linsenmayer’s 34 assists and Megan Forbes’ nine kills and two blocks.
Kamiak had defeated Jackson, the Wesco South No. 3 seed, earlier in the season by an identical 3-1 score.
Despite the loss, the Timberwolves are still alive in the tournament.
Jackson plays Saturday at 11a.m. in a loser-out game.
Kamiak advanced to the semifinal game by defeating Wesco North No. 4 Cascade (4-12) by scores of 25-12, 25-12, 25-10.
Ashley Todd had 11 kills in the match and Larson added 25 assists.
The Timberwolves advanced by upsetting Wesco North No. 2 Marysville-Pilchuck (11-5) in an intense 26-24, 25-23, 18-25, 25-14 match.
Brittany Eskridge had 11 kills, Bridget Marasigan added 24 digs and Linsenmayer had 52 assists for Jackson.
The Tomahawks were led by Nancy Couls 12 kills and Laura Degerness’ 10 kills.
“We were a little disappointed by the first game. We’re our own worst enemy and we gave away points,” Marysvile-Pilchuck coach Shelly Johnson said.
The Tomahawks stayed alive by sweeping Cascade 25-14, 25-13, 25-21 in the loser-out game.
Couls had 10 kills and Myranda Dudgeon had four blocks and a kill for the Tomahawks.
“It feels good being able to play again on Saturday,” Johnson added.
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